Control for vending machines and the like



A. V. SHIPMAN CONTROL FOR VENDING MACHINE Dec; 8, 1959 S AND THE LIKE 3Sheets-She et 1 Filed Au 3. 1953 INVENTOR.

V SHIPMAN, BY;

"wfl ArraNEY- 1 W471; 0 w |l H H Dec. 8, 1959 A. v. SHIPMAN 2,916,126

CONTROL FOR VENDING MACHINES AND THE LIKE Filed Aug. 3, 1953 3Sheets-Sheet 2 l l -r 101 2 /23 g0 1 a9 a 72 71 70 7a 5 31 AAig H/E V:SHIPMAN,

ATTOENE'Y- Dec. 8, 1959 A. v. SHIPMAN 2,916,126

CONTROL FOR VENDING MACHINES AND THE LIKE Filed Aug. 5. 1953 sSheets-Sheet s a a? F g 71 J06 *ZW 126 INN a! "-125 131 7 7a 3/ 1 WINVENTOR. .l W h ARCH/E VSH/PMAN,

CONTROL FOR VENDING MACHINES AND THE LIKE Archie V. Shipman, LosAngeles, Calif.

Application August 3, 1953, Serial No. 371,776

1 Claim. ((11. 19455) This invention has to do with a control forvending machines and the like, and it is a general object of theinvention to provide a simple, practical, dependable coin controlledmechanism for vending machines or like apparatus.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a simple, compact,dependable mechanism serviceable in a vending machine, or the like, andwhich is such that is can be selectedly set to act following or inresponse to the deposit of a predetermined number of coins of aparticular character.

It is another object of this invention to provide a control mechanism ofthe general character referred to which includes a coin stop adapted tobe selectively positioned to vary the mechanism for handling variousnumbers of coins, the stop being such that it can be adjusted orpositioned rapidly and without the exercise of any special care orskill.

It is another object of this invention to provide a mechanism of thegeneral character referred to including a coil releasing mechanismoperable to effect the return of coins deposited, should a user elect torecover coins prior to operation of the mechanism.

It is another object of this invention to provide a mechanism .of thegeneral character referred to including but few, simple parts, allsimple in form and compact and all such as to assembly into a structurewhich is simple and dependable in operation and at the same time compactand such as to occupy a limited space.

The various objects and features of my invention will be fullyunderstood from the following detailed description of a typicalpreferred form and application of my invention, throughout whichdescription reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a typical coin control vending machineembodying the mechanism of the presem invention. Fig. 2 is an enlargedside elevation of the mechanism embodying the invention, being a viewtaken substantially as indicated by line 2-2 on Fig. 1 showing themechanism in a retracted or unactuated position. Fig. 3 is a view'of thestructure shown in Fig. 1 taken at the reverse or opposite side of themechanism and showing the parts in an unactuated or retracted position.Fig. 4 is an enlarged, vertical, detailed, sectional view of themechanism taken substantially as indicated by line 4-4 on Fig. 3. Fig. 5is an enlarged plane section taken as indicated by line 55 on Fig. 3.Fig. 6 is a view similar to a portion of Fig. 3 showing the manner inwhich operation of the mechanism is stopped in the absence of therequired coins therein. Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 6 illustratingthe mechanism released as a result of the presence of the desired coinstherein. Fig. 8 is an enlarged plane section taken as indicated by line88 on Fig. 3. Fig. 9 is an enlarged plane section similar to Fig. 8showing the mechanism operated to effect return or release of coinswithout operation of the mechanism in a manner to effect actuation ofthe vending machine. Fig. 10 is a view United States Patent 0 similar toFig. 3 and showing the mechanism in a fully actuated or operatedposition. Fig. 11 is a view similar to the upper portion of Fig. 2showing the mechanism operated and approaching a fully operatedposition. Fig. 12 is a plane section similar to Fig. 8 showing themechanism in the fully operated position. Fig. 13 is an enlarged planesection taken as indicated by line 1313 on Fig. 10 and Fig. 14 is anenlarged plane section taken as indicated by line 14-14 on Fig. 3.

The mechanism as provided by the present invention is adapted to beapplied to or incorporated in vending machines, or the like, to eifectcontrol thereof in re- 'sponse to the deposit of coins. In the drawings,a vending machine A is shown as including a box-like case or housing 10,and within the machine the parts or mechanism to be controlled includean operating rod 12 shown in Fig. 2 connected to the control mechanismas provided by the present invention. The present invention is in no wayconcerned with details of the vending machine or of parts or mechanismof which the element 12 is a part and, therefore, such details areeliminated in the present disclosure.

So far as the present invention is concerned, the mechanism provided canbe mounted in the case or body 10 'of a vending machine as circumstancesmay require, and in the drawings the mechanism as provided by theinvention is shown carried by the front wall 11 of the case 10 of thevending machine A with the principal parts of the mechanism projectinginwardly from the wall 11 to be within the case 10 while the manuallyaccessible or operable parts project forward from wall 11 and areaccessible at the exterior of the case.

The mechanism as provided by the present invention includes generally afixed or rigid frame member B, a slide or crosshead C carried by theframe A and adapted to reciprocate relative thereto, a means D normallyyieldingly holding the crosshead in an unactuated or retracted position,a releasable latch means E adapted to control the crosshead, a coinreceiver F and a coin control actuating means G cooperatively related tothe crosshead and frame and adapted to receive one or more coins andwhen thus loaded to be effective to release the means E following whichthe coins are discharged from the receiver F.

The mechanism further includes a coin return or releasing mechanism Hserviceable after coins have been deposited in the mechanism to releasethem from the receiver F preliminary to operation of the mechanism.

The frame B in the preferred form of the invention is a simple, flat,vertically disposed plate-like element having opposite sides 21 and 22.In the particular case illustrated, the frame B is attached or fixed tothe front Wall 11 of the case 10 and projects rearwardly therefrom to belocated within the case with both sides of the frame spaced from otherparts of the vending machine.

The slide or crosshead C is carried by the frame B to reciprocaterelative thereto, preferably horizontally, and in the case illustrated,it has an operating arm 25 projecting from it through an opening 26 inthe front wall 11. The arm has an operating handle 27 on its forward orouter end conveniently accessible to a person operating the machine.

The crosshead C, in the form illustrated, includes sections 20 and 31 onopposite sides of the frame and connected by guides 32 that extendbetween the sections 30 and 31 to operate in slots 33 provided in theframe.

' The section 30 of the crosshead is a flat, plate-like element locatedat or adjacent the side 21 of frame B while the section 31 is anelongate, vertically disposed section located at or adjacent the side 22of frame B. In the case illustrated, the frame B has vertically spaced,horizontally disposed slots 33, and the guide members 32 3 extendbetween and connect the sections 30 and 31 and in so doing they extendthrough the slots 33.

Through the construction just dmcribed the crosshead C. is supported byframe B for limited reciprocation relative to the frame, and when thecrosshead is in an unactuated or retracted position, the guide members33 are stopped against the ends 36 of the slots 33 whereas when thecrosshead is fully actuated, it is stopped against the guides 33 andstopped against the ends 37 of the slots 33.

'In .the particular case .illusrated, the element or member "12 of themechanism A requiring operation is suitably connected or coupled to thecrosshead C. In the case illustrated, the arm 12 is connected tocrosshead C by a pivot pin "40 so that as the crosshead is reciprocatedrelative to frame B, the arm 12 is correspondingly operated.

The means D provided to normally yieldingly hold the crosshead C in aretracted or unactuated position is preferably a spring means. In thecase illustrated the means D is shown as including a helical tensionspring 41 having one end anchored to a bracket 42 on frame B while theother end is anchored to a bracket 43 on the crosshead C. The locationand action of the spring 41 is clearly illustrated in the drawings fromwhich it will be noted that the spring normally holds the crossheadretracted yet permits it to be manually operated to a forward oractuating position such as is illustrated .in Fig. 12 of the drawings.

Inthe preferred carrying out of the invention, movement control means Iis included in the machine to con trol the operation of the crosshead Crelative to frame B .so that when the crosshead is operated from theretracted position it can be operated only forward or toward a fullyactuated position and cannot be returned until it has reached the fullyactuated position, and correspondingly, when the crosshead starts tomove from the fully actuated position to the retracted position itcannot be reversed as to its direction-of movement.

In the case illustrated, the means I is a reversal ratchet means and isshown as including a pivoted ratchet member 50 mounted on the frame B asby a pivot pin 51 and having a tooth or jaw 52 cooperatively related toa series of ratchet teeth 55 on the crosshead C. The teeth 55 are in anelongate series extending lengthwise of the crosshead, that is, in thedirection of movement of the crosshead, and the parts are related sothat when the crosshead is retracted the ratchet member or jaw 52 isbeyond one end of the series of teeth whereas when the crosshead isfully actuated, the jaw 52 is beyond the other end of the series ofteeth. An arm 56 projects from the pawl and a spring 57 anchored to theframe B connects to the arm 56 to normally yieldingly hold the arm in aneutral position such as is shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings. When thecrosshead C is moved from the neutral or unactuated position shown inFig. 2 toward an out or actuated position, the jaw 52 drags across theteeth 55 as shown in Fig. 11 allowing the crosshead to move toward theactuated position by checking it against retraction. When the crossheadreaches the fully actuated position, the pawl operates to the neutralposition and then as the crosshead is moved back to the unactuatedposition, the jaw 52 ratchets or drags across the teeth 55 allowing thereturn movement by checking movement of the crosshead toward theactuated position.

The releasable latch means E as provided by the present inventionincludes a latch member 60 mounted on the frame B by means of a pivotpin 61; The latch member 66 has a latch arm 62 of substantial length andprovided with a shoulder 63 adapted to cooperate with a lug 64 providedon and projecting from the crosshead. In the preferred arrangement thelatch member 60 is mounted at or adjacent the side 22 of frame B, andthe lug 64 is on and projects from the section v31 of the crosshead. Thelatch member 60 has an arm 65 extending or projecting therefrom, and aspring 66 in the form of. azhelical tension spring has one end anchoredat 67 to frame B while the other end is connected to arm 65. The spring66 operates to normally yieldingly urge the arm 60 downwardly asindicated by the arrow in Fig. 3. An extension 68 of arm 60 projectsbeyond the shoulder 63 and overlies the lug 64. When the crosshead is inthe retracted or unactuated position, the extension 68 of the arm 62rests on the lug 64, and the lug 64 is spaced somewhat from shoulder 63.If an attempt is made to operate the crosshead as by pulling on arm 25,the lug 64 engages the shoulder 63 and thus the means E positively stopsforward movement of the crosshead. However, the arm 62 is subject tobeing moved upwardly or released as will be hereinafter described inwhich event the shoulder 63 is above the lug 64 and passes the lug sothat the crosshead can be operated to a fully actuated position.

The coin control actuating means G, as provided by the presentinvention, is cooperatively combined with or related to the frame B andcrosshead C. In the form illustrated, the means G includes elementscooperating with the frame and crosshead to define a coin chute, and itincludes a stop for limiting the insertion of coins into that chute andit includes structure whereby the latch means E is released followingloading of the means G with a predetermined number of coins, followingwhich the coins are released to be discharged into the receiver F.

In the construction illustrated in the drawings, the side 22 of frame Bforms one wall or side of the coin chute while the longitudinal orvertical edge 70 of the crosshead section 31 forms one edge wall of thecoin chute. The means G provides a vertical plate 71 at the side 22 offrame B to form the opposite side wall of the coin chute and provides avertical rib 72 on the plate 71 with an edge 73 forming the oppositeedge wall of the coin chute.

The plate 71 is shown as a simple, flat, vertically disposed platemounted on and carried by the crosshead, for instance, by section 31 ofthe crosshead so that it is normally yieldingly held in a position whereit is parallel with and spaced just far enough from the side 22 of frameB so that a coin will be received between the frame and the plate. Inthe construction illustrated, the means employed to mount the plate 71on the section 31 of the crosshead includes posts 75 mounted on andprojecting from the section 31 of the crosshead through openings 76 inthe plate 71. Helical compression springs 77 are carried on the posts 75between the outer sides of plate 71 and stops 78 on the outer ends ofthe posts. Through this construction the mounting of plate 71 on thecrosshead is such that the plate is normally yieldingly urged toward theframe as indicated by arrows x in Figs. 8 and 12 of the drawings.

In the construction illustrated, the section 31 of the crossheadsuitably spaces a plate 71 from frame B, and the ridge 72 on the plate71 likewise serves to suitably space the plate from the frame. The edges70. and 73 of the crosshead section 31 and ridge 72 are preferablystraight, vertically disposed and thus parallel parts spaced apart toaccommodate the desired coin between them.

When the crosshead is in the retracted or unactuated position theconstruction just described serves to yieldingly hold the plate 71parallel with and suitably spaced from the frame B establishing the coinchute as shown in Figs. 4, 8, and 9 of the drawings. The presentinvention provides a lift means adapted to effect shifting or lifting ofplate 71 away from the frame after the crosshead has been moved apredetermined distance away from the retracted position and as itapproaches and finally reaches the fully actuated position. The liftmeans, as shown in the drawings, includes a cam 80 mounted on the frameB and a cam follower 81 provided on or projecting from the plate 71. Thecam 80 has a pitched or inclined face 82 that receives the follower 81and effects swinging of the plate away from the frame or in a directionopposite to that indicated by arrows x in .12 as the crosshead moves toand approaches the fully actuated position. The follower 81 in the caseillustrated is a part of or a mere extension on the plate 71, and itsprojecting edge portions engages or cooperates with the inclined face 82of the cam. It will be apparent from the drawings that the cam 80 can belocated on the frame and can be related to the follower 81 so that theplate 71 begins to lift away from the frame when the crosshead reaches apredetermined position in the course of its movement from the retractedto the operated position, and when the plate has started to lift it willcontinue to lift until the crosshead reaches the fully operatedposition.

It will be apparent from Fig. 12 of the drawings that when the plate 71has been lifted away from the frame the coin chuteestablished throughthe construction above described is opened or operated so that a coinwill be 'no longer confined between the frame and the plate but will befree to drop from between these parts.

The mechanism of the present invention includes a stop means for coinsdeposited in the machine, and this stop means includes generally a coinstop 85 on a carrier 86 suitably mounted on the plate 71. In the caseillustrated the carrier 86 is a flat, plate-like element mounted on theplate 71 to be normally yieldingly held against the outer side of theplate or adjacent the plate as shown in Fig. 8 of thedrawings.

In the case illustrated, the mounting means for the I carrier 86includes posts 87 projecting from the plate 71 and compression springs88 between heads 89 on the posts 87 and the carrier 86. Through thisconstruction,

which is clearly shown in Fig. 8, the carrier 86 is normall'y yieldinglyheld flat against the plate 71.

The stop 85 is a member carried by the carrier 86 and projectingtherefrom to enter the coin chute hereinabove referred to so that itserves as a stop limiting downward movement of coins in the chute. It ispreferred that the stop 85 be vertically adjustable or such that it canbe selectively arranged in various positions longitudinally of the coinchute to the end that the mechanism can be set to receive any desirednumber of coins. For instance, the stop 85 can be set so that the chutewill receive but one coin or it can be set to receive a multiplicity ofcoins. In the case illustrated, the stop 85 is in the form of a screwthreaded into or through an opening 90 in the carrier 86 to project fromthe carrier 86 toward the frame and normally through an opening 91 inthe plate 71.

In the case illustrated, threaded openings 90 are provided at suitableintervals in the plate 71, that is, in a vertical series in the plate71, and corresponding openings 91 are provided in the plate 71 so thatas the stop screw 85 is arranged in any one of the openings 90 it willoperate through an opening 91 in the plate 71 to enter the coin slot.From the drawings, particularly from a consideration of Fig. 3 of thedrawings, it will be noted that the stop 85 can be selectively locatedor positioned so that the coin slot will receive one or more coins, asthe operator elects.

In accordance with the present invention, a releasing means 100 isprovided for, or in connection with, the carrier 86 so that when thecrosshead has been operated to a position where the plate 71 starts toshift or rock relative to the frame to open the coin chute, the stopcarrier is operated relative to plate 71 to effect withdrawal of thestop from the coin chute. In the form illustrated, the means 10 includesa lever 101 pivotally mounted at 102 on frame B. The point of pivotalsupport of the arm is adjacent the edge 105 of frame B remote from theedge portion at which cam 80 is located. The arm 101 projects from thepoint of pivotal mounting so that it overlies the carrier 86 and itsterminal end 105 bears on the cam 80. A lug 108 projects up from thecarrier 86 at the edge thereof remote from the slidably passes the arm.101. The construction is such that as the crosshead is operated towardthe cam 80 and as the plate 71 is shifted or lifted by means of the cam80, the plate 71 passes between the arm 101 and the cam and swings orlifts the arm causing the edge portion of the carrier 86 carrying thestop 85 to swing or lift away from the plate 71 with resultingretraction of the stop from the coin chute. By the time the crossheadreaches the fully actuated position the stop 85 has been completelywithdrawn or retracted from the coin chute. As a result of theconstruction just described, coins previously deposited in the coinchute and stopped therein by the stop 85, as indicated in Fig. 3 of thedrawings, are positively released and allowed to drop by gravity fromthe mechanism into the receiver F.

From the foregoing description it will be noted that as the mechanism isoperated, the crosshead moves from the retracted position a substantialdistance toward the actuated position before the plate 71 starts to liftaway from the frame and beforethe stop starts to retract from the chute.

In accordance with the present invention, the crosshead completed withthe parts carried by or shifting therewith serve to form a coin carrieradapted to receive and carry a predetermined number of coins and tosocarry the coins that they cooperate with and actuate the means E asthe crosshead moves from the retracted position and before it reaches aposition where the plate 71 has 'shifted or the stop 85 retracted torelease the coins. In the case illustrated a cam-like shoulder 110 isprovided on the arm 62 of the latch member 60, and this shoulder is inthe path of the uppermost coin carried in the coin chute establishedthrough the mechanism above described. For instance, in the caseillustrated in Fig. 3 the stop 85 is located so that the coin slotreceives and carries five coins, one above the other,

edge whichis connected to the plate 71. The lug 108 the lowermost coinsupported on the stop while the uppermost coin projects up and ispositioned to cooperate with the shoulder 110. In this case any numberof coins less than five will not provide a coin in a position to engage110; however, when the fifth coin has been deposited it is in positionso that as the carriage is operated from the retracted position, theuppermost or fifth coin engaging shoulder 110 releases the latch means Eclearing the lug 64 so that the crosshead can move forward and to thefully actuated position. As a result of this complete forward movementof the crosshead, the arm 12 connected to the crosshead is operated inthe desired manner and can, in practice, be provided to accompany anydesired action. From the foregoing description it will be apparent thatfollowing release of the latch means E, the plate 71 is shifted and thestop 85 retracted with resulting release of the coins so that they allfall from the chute and into the receiver F.

In the form of the invention illustrated, the receiver F has a trough orduct portion located so that as the coins fall from the mechanism abovedescribed they are conducted to a desired point in the case 10 to belater collected as is common in machines of this general character.

In accordance with the present invention, the machine is provided withthe means F serviceable to release coins after they have been depositedbut before the mechanism has been actuated. The means F includes a barslidably carried by the frame B to reciprocate relative thereto andhaving a forward end portion or handle 126 at the front of the case 10.The bar 125 is mounted by means of a pin and slot construction so thatthe bar has a limited movement, and a spring 130 has one end anchored at131 while the other end is connected to the bar 125 to normallyyieldingly hold the bar retracted. The bar has a head or cam portion 131projecting from it and positioned to be moved into engagement with thestop carrier 86. The parts are related so that when the bar 125 is inthe normal position where it is held by the spring 130, the head or campart 133 is clear of the stop carrier 86 and has no action thereon.However, whenever the bar 125 is pulled forward or in the directionindicated by the arrow y in Fig. 9, the head 123 on the bar engages thecarrier 86 causing 'it to be rocked or tilted relative to plate 71 sothat the coin stop -85 is retracted allowing the coins to drop from thechute and into a trough 133 that extends to the exterior of the machineWhere the coins are made available to the user. The bar 125 is free tobe manually operated at any time, and if any coin or coins are in thechute, operation of the bar 125 will effect release of the coins makingthem available at the exterior of the machine.

In a typical use of the structure provided by the present invention,that is, in a typical application of the mechanism to a vending machineA, or the like, a coin receiving slot 150 is provided in the case 10 ofthe machine and a suitable coin guide 151, or the like, extends from theslot 150 to a point above the mechanism of the present invention so thatwhen the crosshead'is retracted establishing a closed coin chute open atits ends, a coin deposited in the slot 150 will roll or drop into thecoin chute.

Having described only a typical preferred form and application of myinvention, 1 do not wish to be limited or restricted to the specificdetails herein set forth, but

wish to reserve to myself any variations or modifications that mayappear to those skilled in the art and fall Within the scope of thefollowing claim.

Having described my invention, Iclaim:

A mechanism of the character described including, a flat verticallydisposed frame, a crosshead carried by the frame to reciprocatehorizontally relative thereto between a retracted position and anoperated position and having an operating arm projecting from it, aplate carried by the crosshead at one side of the frame and shiftablerelative thereto from a normal position where it cooperates with theframe and crosshead to define a vertical coin chute, cam means adaptedto shift the plate and open the chute as the crosshead is operatedtoward the operated position, a stop normally engaged in the chute tostop a coin therein and adapted to be retracted from the chute as thecrosshead is operated toward the operated position, and a latch normallypositioned to stop movement of the crosshead toward the operatedposition and adapted to be released by a coin in the chute, the stopbeing carried by a carrier mounted on the plate and having a pluralityof ports in a series lengthwise of the chute and adapted to selectivelyreceive and carry the stop, means normally yieldingly holding thecarrier in position where the stop is in the chute, and a bar carried bythe frame and adapted to be shifted relative thereto and engageable withthe carrier to effect retraction of the stop from the chute.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,044,629 Dawes Nov. 19, 1912 1,198,210 Giles Sept. 12, 1916 1,495,217Alexander May 27, 1924 2,233,654 Tratsch Mar. 4, 1941 2,310,072 Fry Feb.2, 1943 2,339,823 Vogel Ian. 25, 1944 FOREIGN PATENTS 728,245 Germany ANov. 23, 1942 755,130 France Sept. 4, 1933

